Hearts could land automatic Europa League group stage spot amid Dortmund and Atalanta surge

Hearts could be propelled into the Europa League group stages and skip the playoff round - should results go their way.

Steven Naismith's men have all-but secured third spot in the Scottish Premiership table with three games to spare as they boast a nine point lead over fourth-placed Kilmarnock. As it stands, the Jambos are guaranteed European football next season. They face a Europa League play-off - and defeat would see the Gorgie outfit drop into the Conference League.

But they could skip the jeopardy of the playoff IF results in the Champions League and Europa League final go their way. According Scotland's Coefficient, victories for Borussia Dortmund over Real Madrid and Atalanta over unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen would see the Tynecastle men march into the group stage of Europe's second tier competition. As it stands, Dortmund are fifth in the Bundesliga and under UEFA’s new European Performance Slot scheme Germany will be awarded an extra Champions League spot.

That would leave one Europa League slot for Germany’s sixth-placed club, plus one extra if Dortmund were holders but would not be defending their trophy. In Seria A, Atalanta sit in fifth spot which would see them compete in the Europa League next season.

Should they defeat Leverkusen as well as securing a Europa placing in Italy - either through Serie A or the Coppa Italia - that would also leave an extra slot open for next season’s competition. Should either of these sides lose, Belgium stand to benefit.

Belgium are the eighth-ranked UEFA nation. Should the Europa League spot go spare due to defeat for Atalanta or Dortmund, Belgium's national cup winner would gain automatic entry into the revamped 36-team competition.

Hearts need both Dortmund and Atalanta to